The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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those Ihave learned to love."
"What causes have you for grief, dear boy?" said Ina. "Are you nothappy here, where all so love you?"
"I cannot tell you, lady," answered the page.
"Why not tell me your grief? Perchance, confiding it to me, I may aidto mitigate it," said Ina.
"Oh no, it is impossible; my grief is too deep for consolation; it is asecret I shall never tell," answered the page.
"But, I may find a means to soothe it," urged Ina.
"Lady, pray deem me not ungrateful; but again, I beseech you, let meleave you," exclaimed Conrin. "I love you much; but yet, I love yournoble brother more. The only balm you can give to soothe me is to letme go to him."
"But, why would you leave this calm retreat to hasten amidst scenes ofwar and bloodshed?" said Ina.
"I would go to my master, wherever he may be, lady," answered Conrin."I fear some danger threatens him; I know not what, but dark forebodingssteal across my soul. I cannot look upon the future as I used to do,hoping for days of brightness and joy; my heart no longer bounds as itwas wont, with thoughts of happiness. Oh let me seek my master, that Imay guard him from the threatened harm, if still I may! I would too,gaze upon his loved features once again before I die, for too surely doI feel the troubled inward spirit preparing for its flight to quit thisworld. I feel that nothing can avert my death, come how it may."
"Boy, you speak of strange, mysterious things," exclaimed Ina, in analarmed tone. "Why think you danger threatens my dear brother? and whythese sad forebodings of your own fate?"
"Lady, I come of a race who oft see things hidden from duller eyes; andonce, it is said, our ancestors could foretell either the death ofmortals, or their destiny; but the power has passed away, as we havemixed our blood with other tribes. Yet, even now, we often see theshadow of a coming evil; and it is a curse upon our race, that we cannotguard against it when it threatens ourselves. For others yet we may,and thus I would attempt to guard my master."
"Conrin, you persuade me strongly to let you go; and for my dearbrother's sake I will, though I should be loath to part from you. Oh,shield him, if you can, from danger, and may Allah bless you!"
"Thanks, lady, thanks! Even now my spirits lighten of their load,"exclaimed Conrin. "I would set off this day; another may be too late."
"You cannot journey alone, on that road, dear page," said Ina; "youshall accompany the first band of warriors who set forward for thecamp."
"Oh, I would find my way alone, through every obstacle, to meet yournoble brother," said the boy, eagerly.
"Conrin, that cannot be; you know not half the dangers which would besetyou on the road. To-morrow, perhaps, some warriors may go forth. Yousaid you had a secret that you would not tell; but let me hear it; formuch do I love you, for the affection which you bear my brother; andmuch it pains my heart to think that yours must bleed without asympathising friend, to soothe your pain. Ah! how blind I have been! athought has opened now my eyes. Come hither; let me whisper to yourear."
The gentle Ina bent over her page's head. A deep blush suffused theboy's cheeks; his eyes filled with tears.
"Ah! it is so? Let me weep with you," she cried. "But, be of goodhope, all may yet be well. Such love as yours cannot go unrequited."
Old Kahija was certain to intrude when she was least wanted; and at thatinstant she made her appearance, hobbling in, for she was somewhatunwieldy in her gait. Her cheeks almost burst with impatience tocommunicate some important information.
"Here's news for you, young ladies, from the camp," she exclaimed. "Ah,Zara, my pretty maid, you'll not have to sigh much longer, I amthinking, for the young Alp. Now, girls, what would you give to havethe information? Your best earrings, I warrant; but I am not cruel, andwill keep you no longer in suspense," she added, as eager to communicatethe news, as the fair inmates of the harem were to hear it. "Know then,my pretty Zara, that our noble chief, your grandfather, has given hissanction for your marriage with young Alp Beg, and in a short time, hewill be here to bear you from us."
"Speak you the words of truth, Kahija?" exclaimed Zara, blushing, butlooking perfectly happy, as she threw herself upon Ina's neck. "Oh, saywhen he will come?"
"He has sent some one to deliver a message to you; therefore wrap yourfeatures closely in a veil, and go out to the gate of the anderoon. Andthat reminds me there is some one to see you, Conrin, from your master."
"Ah!" exclaimed the page, hastening to the door. "What joy to hear ofhim."
"A messenger from my brother!" cried Ina. "I too, must learn what newshe brings."
At the gates of the anderoon, Conrin found Javis waiting his coming.
"I bring news from our master, for his sister," said the squire. "In afew days he will be here, and then I must quit his service, if I canreturn to Russia. I have fulfilled my oath, I have obeyed your wish; nomortal, with a spirit that could feel, would do more."
"Javis, I owe you much;" exclaimed the page. "I would repay you with mylife; but the only reward you prize, alas! I cannot give."
"I ask for no reward," answered Javis; "the only one I prize, alas! Icannot gain; and after that, death will be the most welcome. But Iwould see my people first, and breathe my spirit out amongst them. Ihave done your bidding. I vowed to do what you wished, nor stipulatedfor reward. I rescued the young chief from the power of the Russians; Ihave striven to wash away my thought of crime almost perpetrated; I sawhim safely landed on his native shores; I have seen him take his placeamong his people, as a chieftain of Circassia: I even learned to lovehim for himself, but more I cannot do. I could not bear to see himagain at your side; I must go even from you."
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ina and Zara.
"Say, when will my brother come?" exclaimed Ina. "Oh, 'twill be joy tosee him."
"In three days hence, if the Russians move not from their encampments,"answered Javis.
"Bring you any message for me?" said Zara, timidly addressing a youngwarrior, who respectfully saluted her at her approach.
"Yes, lady, I bear a message from my friend, the gallant Alp Beg.Before two days have passed, and ere the shade of yonder lofty tree hasreached the stream which flows a short distance from its base, he willbe here."
"You bring me grateful news, indeed. Oh, many thanks!" returned Zara."Say, is your friend well?"
"Yes, lady, he is well; and bears himself bravely against the foe,"answered the messenger.
"Come, come, maidens," exclaimed Kahija, bustling up. "It is veryincorrect to stop chattering longer than is necessary at the gate of theanderoon. If you have received your messages, come into the house, andlet the young men go their way."
Having no further excuse for remaining, the fair girls were obliged todo as desired, though they would fain have heard more of those so dearto them.
Volume 3, Chapter VII.
We must return again to take a glance at the patriot camp on the Ubin.Except the slight skirmishes already described, nothing of importancehad been effected, and as the winter was now fast approaching, theRussians appeared to contemplate no further movement.
A council of war was one day held in a grove, away from the din andbustle of the camp, at which were present, among many of the Princes andnobles of Circassia; Arslan Gherrei, his son and the Hadji, when shotswere heard announcing the arrival of some other chief, and presently aband of wild horsemen were seen approaching, dressed in skins and furs,of some of the mountain Tartar tribes.
At their head, rode the Khan Khoros Kaloret; who, after dismounting,singly approached the council ring. The chiefs stood up as he steppedboldly amongst them. His looks were fierce and angry, as his glancepassed round on the assembled nobles, who could ill brook his haughtymien. At length, one of the most ancient addressed him--
"Why come you here, Khan, to interrupt our conference? Have you anytidings of importance to communicate?"
"Why come I here?" echoed the Khan, furiously. "Think you, I come foridle s
port? No, I come to claim my brother's blood at your hands. Say,where he is, or I may not continue to be a friend to any here. Say,where is my brother?"
"We know not of your brother, Khan; we have spoken our answer."
"Does my brother, live? I ask you," said the Khan.
"We know not of your brother," answered the former speaker.
"To you then, Uzden Arslan Gherrei, I appeal," said the Khan. "I senthim to you, to bring back your daughter as my bride; and since he leftyour house, none of my clansmen know aught of him. At your hands, Irequire him."
"Your